‘Cities4Europe – Europe for citizens’

At a time when Europe is striving to retain its legitimacy and relevance in the face of growing disillusionment and Euroscepticism, cities can provide a critical link to citizens. Participatory decision making, citizens’ initiatives and the involvement of people in policy making at all levels are fundamental to an inclusive and democratic society.
Throughout May 2018, EUROCITIES, the network of big European cities, is running the campaign ‘Cities4Europe – Europe for citizens’, a platform for local initiatives that engage people, envision new forms of democracy and map out a common future.
Together with BOZAR and the city of Brussels, EUROCITIES is launching this campaign on 7 May in Brussels with a public debate, featuring a panel of national and European leaders as well as actors of urban change, artists and activists.

Speakers:
Ada Colau is the mayor of Barcelona.
Philippe Close is the mayor of Brussels.
Gilles Pargneaux is member of the European Parliament
Ingrid Pecquet is general and financial director of Recyclart
Saskia Sassen is Professor, Columbia University and is member of its Committee on Global Thought (www.saskiasassen.com).
Daniel Termont is the president of EUROCITIES and mayor of Ghent.
Philippe Van Leeuw is a Belgian film director, screenwriter and cinematographer.
Philippe Van Parijs, philosopher and economist, is professor emeritus at the UCL.
Karmenu Vella is the European Commissioner for the Environment.